2011 Women's World Cup vs. Japan

I could have went with her first USWNT appearance against Germany back in 2001, but that was a rather uneventful affair for the newcomer.

Losing in the finals was heartbreaking. But there was one silver lining for the gut-wrenched forward.

Her goal in the match moved her past USWNT legend Michelle Akers on the all-time World Cup goal list. At 13 career World Cup goals she sits second all-time behind Brazil's Marta and Germany's Birgit Prinz.

Anytime you move past a name such as Akers, it is to be noted. 13 World Cup goals goes to show how much work Wambach has put in under the crest.

2003 World Cup vs. Norway

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The Quarterfinals were on and the USWNT had their hands full with Norway.

In the 24th minute of action Wambach scored the lone goal of the match. The win put the women one step closer to their goal, but would suffer a 3-0 defeat at the hands of eventful tournament winners Germany.

However, without Wambach's goal they would have been ousted and not placed. Two years in to her USWNT career and Wambach was already providing big time goals.

In the locker room, Amann begins sewing Wambach's scalp back together using 10 stitches. "Eventually it coagulates," he says. "But initially it's the pressure from the stitches bringing the skin together that stopped the bleeding."

Reeling from an adrenaline rush, Wambach storms out of the locker room, races through the tunnel into the brilliant light of the field and takes her place next to referee Nicole Petignat, who whistles her back into the game just 10 minutes after the collision.

"I cursed...and hurried up and got my jersey on and ran as fast I could to the midfield stripe to get back on," Wambach says.

The heart and determination to return shows what kind of player Abby Wambach is.

First USWNT Goal, 2002 vs. Finland

It's always a big moment when you score for the first time at the highest of levels.

For Wambach, that happened back in 2002 against Finland. April 27, 2002, to be exact.

We know what she has done for American soccer since, but it is always important to remember where it all started.

From that first goal a decade ago Wambach continues her march up the all-time list. She is only a mere 20 goals away from tying Mia Hamm as the USWNT's all-time goal scorer. I think it is safe to say in the near future we will witness Wambach surpassing the legend for that top spot.

Passing Kristine Lilly, 2012 vs. Canada

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Wambach entered the match with 129 goals, one behind Lilly for second all-time.

The CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying finals started quickly as Wambach assisted on Alex Morgan's goal just four minutes into the action. Later in the first half Wambach would make history and put the match away.

Wambach hit paydirt in the 24th minute and tied Lilly at 130 goals. The question then became: Can Wambach pass her today? That was answered in less than five minutes.

In the 28th minute of action Wambach scored again and moved in to second on the scoring list for the US.

2004 Olympics Gold Medal Game vs. Brazil

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Wambach's flare for the dramatic against Brazil did not start at the 2011 World Cup.

The Americans and Brazilians were tied at one goal a piece in the gold medal game at the end of regulation. Extra time began. The 112th minute proved to be one of the greatest moments in Wambach's career and USWNT history.

Kristine Lilly took the corner and struck it well. What else would be on the other end besides Wambach's noggin? One of the most feared weapons in women's soccer.

2011 World Cup vs. Brazil

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In USWNT lore, the stoppage time header by Wambach at the 2011 Women's World Cup is only behind Brandi Chastain's penalty kick goal celebration.

The USWNT went up early on a Brazil own goal and it seemed like things would fall their way. But Marta, arguably the world's greatest player, equalized in the 68th minute on a penalty that was initially missed. The questionable call to re-take the penalty gave Marta the second chance she needed to sink it.

Questionable referring reared its ugly head in extra time when the officials missed an offside call that resulted in another Marta finish.

And then as the Brazilians stalled to try and run out the clock they actually gave the US more stoppage time to work with. Then it happened.

Rapinoe crosses. Wambach scores. We head to penalty kicks.

It did not win gold. It wasn't even a game winner. But the dramatics surrounding it with the eyes of the world watching makes this one of the all-time moments for the USWNT and women's soccer in general. Goosebumps raise thinking about that moment.